"I want you to tell me everything about how Alexia bribed you. Can you do that?" Thaddeus''s dark eyes were sharp and cold.


    Mr. Zade could only grit his teeth and nod.


    "And one more thing," Evadne added coldly. "You must publicly state that the substances detected in Mr. Dempsey''s blood are not necessarily rted to illegal drugs, but could very well be from prescription medication."


    Thaddeus turned his head, his gazeplex as he looked at the resolute woman. An unidentifiable emotion surged within him, crashing against his chest and gripping his heavy heart.


    Mr. Zade understood Evadne''s meaning. There was no concrete proof that Thaddeus was using drugs; the blood test was merely circumstantial evidence. If he made a statement at the right time, it might notpletely clear Thaddeus''s name, but it would certainly confuse the public narrative.


    "Okay... okay... I promise, I''ll do it all!"


    ...


    After leaving the Zade residence, Jareth took n with him to ensure his father wouldn''t back out. He would only be released once Mr. Zade had done as Thaddeus and Evadne demanded.


    "Jareth, it was good to see you. How has Mari been?" Evadne, avoiding Thaddeus''s gaze, turned to speak with Jareth instead.


    "She''s doing great." At the mention of his wife, Jareth''s expression softenedpletely, a rare blush creeping up the tough man''s cheeks. "And we''re actively trying for a baby."


    "Really? That''s wonderful!" Evadne said, genuinely happy for them.


    "Yeah, we''ll let you two know as soon as we have good news!" Jareth said in his excitement, the words tumbling out before he could stop them.


    The atmosphere instantly became awkward.


    Thaddeus lowered his gaze, saying nothing.


    A pang of sadness hit Evadne. She forced a smile. "Jareth, Mr. Dempsey, I have to get going."


    Thaddeus opened his mouth, wanting to thank her, but the woman was gone in a sh. Her ck car disappeared into the night.


    "Thad, I saw how you threw yourself in front of her. You were really worried about Evadne," Jareth said, studying his friend''s emotionless face. "You still love her, don''t you?"


    "If it had been you, I would have done the same thing," Thaddeus replied, staring straight ahead, his eyes deep and unreadable. "Does that mean I love you, too?"


    Jareth frowned dramatically. "You mean you don''t love me?"


    Thaddeus looked at him,pletely unimpressed. "Mr. Fairhaven, you''re being disgusting."


    "Tsk, you brat. You think I don''t know you?" Jareth bumped his shoulder against his. "The only tough thing about you is your mouth. If you used that mouth to drill into the ground, you''d reach the Earth''s core."


    "Thank you for tonight. Go home to Mari. Good night." With that, Thaddeus turned to leave, but Jareth grabbed his arm.


    "Brother," he said, his voice serious, "with all this trouble going on, why didn''t you call me sooner? If I had known Chad was going to pull something, I would have been by your side to help!"


    "I don''t want your help."


    "Why?!" Jareth asked, his voice strained.


    "Because being targeted by Chad is not a good thing."


    "But..."


    "Do you want my sister to be dragged into another life-or-death situation? He is a more formidable and terrifying opponent than you, Mr. Abernathy, or even Avery dont want to see anyone else around me get hurt." After saying this, Thaddeus got into his car and sped off.


    Jareth was left standing alone, a worried and mncholic expression on his face.


    On the drive back, Jason was in high spirits now that they had secured Mr. Zade''s cooperation, but Evadne was unusually quiet in the back seat.


    "Now that Baron has agreed to help clear Mr. Dempsey''s name, it won''t just turn public opinion around, it will definitely put some pressure on Chad... Ms. Evadne? Are you...?"


    Jason was stunned to see in the rearview mirror that Evadne was leaning her head against the window, tears streaming silently down her face.


    He remembered everything that had happened that night and felt a pang of sympathy. He quickly looked away and said no more, giving her space topose herself.


    Just then, her phone rang.


    Evadne quickly wiped her tears away. Seeing it was her eldest brother, she took a


    deep breath before answering. "Cassius."


    "Evadne, I''m in Country M," Cassius''s voice came through, heavy with an indescribable exhaustion.


    "How is it? Have you found Chasel?"


    There was a silence on the other


    end, then his bitter voice seemed to


    drift on the wind. "Evadne, I''m sorry. I''ve tried everything, but I can''t find him don''t think he''s in Country anymore.


    Evadne''s heart sank, but she kept her voice gentle and reassuring. "It''s okay.


    We''ll find another way."


    "Evadne, I''m scared... I''m scared I''ll never find him again."